¹² Whoever ^(A)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent.

^18 (A)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings ^(B)healing.

^4 (A)A gentle^[a] tongue is ^(B)a tree of life,
    but ^(C)perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

^27 (A)A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech^[a] is like ^(B)a scorching fire.

²³ The north wind brings forth rain,
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

² Like ^(A)a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    ^(B)a curse that is causeless does not alight.